Combined wrist band-sweat towel

ABSTRACT

Combined wrist band and towel apparatus includes a tubular wrist band having an inner surface and an outer surface, a towel made of absorbent material, and an attachment structure for attaching the towel to the inner surface the wrist band. When worn by a user, the towel is partially between the wrist band and the user, and the user sees the outer surface. The attachment structure provides a direct attachment of the towel to the wrist band such that the towel is in direct contact with the wrist band. The attachment structure may also provide a permanent attachment of the towel to the wrist band, for example, stitches connect a portion of the towel to the inner surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent applicationSer. No. 62/866,199 filed Jun. 25, 2019, which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a wrist band and sweat towelcombination wherein a user wear the wrist band around their wrist and isable to easily access a towel attached to the wrist band, for example,to wipe sweat off of a part of their body or to wipe exercise equipmentthey are about to use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The combination of a wrist band and a towel of any sort is believed tobe quite rare. Only limited recognition of this possibility is apparentfrom prior art.

For example, Walker (U.S. Pat. No. 9,044,687) describes a rally towelapparatus including a sports fan rally towel and an attached wrist strapto ensure the rally towel apparatus is not dropped or lost during use ata sporting event. The rally towel apparatus includes a body or holderhaving a tube-like shape, and a first end cap and a second end caparranged on a first and second ends, respectively, of the body. Thesecond end cap has a ring molded or secured to at or near a center pointof an outside surface. The ring is capable of receiving the wrist straptherethrough. A clip connects ends of the wrist strap to form a loop.The wrist strap may also include another smaller loop attached to an endthereof which may be used to secure to the ring, which is attached tothe outer surface of the second end cap of the rally towel apparatus.Thus, the wrist strap may be secured to the bottom or the second end capto hold it securely in place. The wrist strap may be used by the user ofthe rally towel apparatus in order to secure the rally towel to theuser's hand.

Walker does not envision any and all types of towels to be used incombination with the wrist band. Rather, Walker is uniquely constructedto alloy for use of the rally towel. A rally towel is not considered thesame type of towel as contemplated by the invention in that it is notused for wiping liquids. Rather, a rally towel is a misnomer in that itis, according to Walker, used by holding it by one corner and rotatingit in a twirling motion to create a visual distraction to the opposingteam when the entire crowd is twirling or shaking a rally towel. Nomention is made to wipe liquids using the rally towel.

Basik (U.S. Pat. Appln. Publ. Nos. 20150150323 and 20160037840)describes a wristband extension towel that incorporates a sweatband typeof wristband. The extension towel includes a sweatband 20 produced in atubular form that can be slipped over the hand of a user and then ontothe wrist, similar to a standard sweatband, a releasable closure havingan elastic band 21 attached to the sweatband on the topside of thesweatband and wraps over or stretches across a towel element 30 which isaffixed to the sweatband 20 by stitching, weaving or an adhesive orattached via VELCRO™ located at the base of the backside (non-wipingsurface).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a novel and unique combined wrist band and towel apparatus, withthe towel part being especially suitable to wipe liquids.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a combined wrist band and towel apparatus that enables a userwearing the wrist band to have a towel readily accessible to wipe sweatfrom their body or to wipe and clean exercise equipment they are aboutto use.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a combined wrist band and towel apparatus wherein the towel ispermanently attached to the wrist band.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a combined wrist band and towel apparatus wherein the towel isconfigured with an appropriate size to avoid interfering with a personexercising while wearing the apparatus.

Another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a combined wrist band and towel apparatus wherein the towel isremovably attached to the wrist band and can be easily removed therefromto wipe surfaces and for cleaning.

In order to achieve one or more of these objects, or others objects, acombined wrist band and towel apparatus in accordance with the inventionincludes a tubular wrist band having an inner surface and an outersurface, a preferably planar towel made of absorbent material, andattachment means for attaching the towel to the inner surface the wristband. When worn by a user, the towel is partially between the wrist bandand the user, and the user sees the outer surface. A logo or otherprinted material may be provided on the surface of the towel visible tothe user and others. The wrist band is typically flexible to enable auser to put it on and easily take it off their wrist.

In some embodiments, the attachment means provide a direct attachment ofthe towel to the wrist band such that the towel is in direct contactwith the wrist band. This attachment may be of a permanent nature(intended to be permanent), e.g., stitches connect a portion of thetowel to the inner surface, or be of a temporary nature (intended toenable easy removal and reattachment), e.g., hook or loop fasteners areon the towel and the wrist band and enable repeated attachment anddetachment of the towel to and from the wrist band.

An important feature of some embodiments is that the towel isconnectable to the wrist band only by the attachment means, and theattachment means connect the towel to the wrist band at only a singlelocation. For example, when the towel has a rectangular shape, whichincludes a square shape, the attachment means attach the towel to thewrist band at only one of the four corners and do not attach or enableattachment of the towel to the wrist band at any other location on thetowel. The towel is thus attached to the wrist band at only the cornerand cannot be attached to the wrist band anywhere else.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description, and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the systemdeveloped or adapted using the teachings of at least one of theinventions disclosed herein and are not meant to limit the scope of theinvention as encompassed by the claims.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a combined wrist band and towelapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the rear viewbeing the same.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the rightside view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 takenalong the line 6-6 in FIG. 3 and showing the attachment of the towel tothe wristband.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 takenalong the line 7-7 in FIG. 2 and showing the attachment of the towel tothe wristband.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbersrefer to the same or similar elements. FIG. 1 shows a combined wristband and towel apparatus 10 on a wrist 8 of a right hand 6 of a user.The combined wrist band and towel apparatus 10 includes a wrist band 12and a towel 14 attached to the wrist band 12.

The wrist band 12 has an outside or outer surface 16 seen in FIG. 1 andan inside or inner surface 18 seen in FIG. 6. The outer surface 16 isthat surface which typically has a larger circumference, in comparisonto the inner surface 18, when the wrist band 12 is not stressed, and isdesigned to face outward when the user wears with the wrist band 12 (seeFIG. 1). The inner surface 18 is that surface which typically has asmaller circumference when the wrist band 12 is not stressed, and isdesigned to face inward toward the user's wrist 8 when the user wearsthe wrist band 12. The inner surface 18 is usually in contact with theskin of the user when the user is wearing the wrist band 12 on theirwrist. Also, the outer surface 16 is that surface which contains anoptional logo 4, promotional material, advertising material and thelike, since it is visible to people.

The wrist band 12 is preferably tubular, i.e., circular incross-section, and dimensioned to fit around the wrist 8 of a user. Ifso desired, the circular size of the wrist band, i.e., itscircumference, can be varied for different users, e.g., a small size, amedium size, a large size, an extra large size, etc. The material of thewrist band 12 can be made of any known material or combination ofmaterials used for wrist bands. Preferably, the wrist band 12 should beflexible to enable a user to place it over their wrist and remove itfrom their wrist when no longer needed or desired. One skilled in theart of wrist bands would easily understand how to make and use a wristband that may constitute wrist band 12 in the invention. Indeed, thewrist band 12 is not in and of itself a novel component of the inventionbut rather it is the use of the wrist band 12 in combination with thetowel 14 that provides novelty to the invention.

The towel 14 is made of one or more absorbent materials to enable it tobe used to absorb liquids, notably sweat from a person exercising. Inone embodiment, the towel 14 is planar (flat). A planar towel is onethat is flat with planar upper and lower surfaces and only a nominalthickness, and when rectangular, has four corners.

As shown, the towel 14 has a generally rectangular or square shape andis attached at one corner (the upper corner) to the inner surface 18 ofthe wrist band 12. By having a generally square shape, it is notintended that the towel 14 has exactly a square shape but that itappears like a square when viewed, e.g., it may have slightly differentlength sides and/or rounded corners. The attachment at the upper cornerresults in the towel 14 having a diamond configuration relative to thewrist band 12. That is, when positioning the square towel 14 so that ithas upper and lower corners, the upper corner is attached to the innersurface 18 and thus not visible, while the lower corner is below theupper corner, and the left and right corners and at about the same leveland spaced equally apart from a virtual line extending between the upperand lower corners.

Attachment of the towel 14 to the wrist band can take a variety ofdifferent forms, and generally will be referred to as attachment means20 herein. The attachment means 20 can be either of the permanent typeor the temporary type. In a permanent type of attachment, the wrist band12 and the towel 14 would be an integral unit and would be cleanedtogether, and not designed to intentionally separate from one another.In a temporary type of attachment, the towel 14 can be separated fromthe wrist band 12 and cleaned separately, or replaced by another towel14 during the same workout. This type may also be referred to adetachable or separable type of attachment.

In one embodiment of a permanent attachment, the attachment is by meansof stitching or sewing the towel 14 to the inner surface 18 of the wristband 12 (exemplifying stitches being shown as 22 in FIG. 7_. As such,when the wrist band 12 is worn, a portion of the towel 14 will bebetween the wrist band 12 and the user's wrist 8 and a remaining portionwill be exposed as shown in FIG. 1. By permanent attachment, it is notmeant that the towel 14 can never be separated from the wrist band 12(since obviously one could remove the stitching and then separate thetowel 14 from the wrist band 12). Rather, it is meant that theattachment of the towel 14 to the wrist band 12 is not intended toenable detachment of the towel 14 from the wrist band 12 withoutstructural modification of the attachment means. A permanent attachmentis one that will endure until destroyed by the user or worn out. Forexample, when stitches 22 obtained through sewing are used, the stitches22 could be removed to enable separation of the towel 14 from the wristband 12, thereby destroying the attachment means 20 since the towel 14could not be reattached to the wrist band 12 except through re-sewingand forming new stitches. By contrast, a temporary attachment is onethat enables repeated attachment and detachment of the towel 14 to/fromthe wrist band 12 without destroying the attachment means 20.

In one embodiment of a temporary attachment, the attachment is by meansof hook and loop fasteners, e.g., of the VELCRO™ variety (not shown). Inthis case, hook fasteners are fixed to the inner surface 18 of the wristband 12 and loop fasteners are fixed to the towel 14 (or vice versa).The user attaches the towel 14 to the wrist band 12 by pressing the hookand loop fasteners together and separates the towel 14 from the wristband 12 by pulling the towel 14 apart from the wrist band 12. In thisembodiment, a portion of the attachment means 20 are on the towel 14 anda portion of the attachment means 20 are on the wrist band 12. The samepartial placement on both the wrist band 12 and the towel 14 arises withother attachment means 20, such as snaps.

Generally, there would be first attachment structure on the wrist band12 and second attachment structure on the towel 14. The first and secondattachment structures are repeatedly engageable and disengageable fromone another in some embodiments, and when worn by a user, the towel 14is partially between the wrist band 12 and the user, and the user seesthe outer surface 16 of the wrist band 12. These attachment structuresprovide a direct attachment of the towel 14 to the wrist band 12 suchthat the towel 14 or a part thereof is in direct contact with the wristband 12 or a part thereof at least at a location in a vicinity of thefirst and second attachment structures. As noted above, the firstattachment structure may comprise hook or loop fasteners while thesecond attachment structure comprises the other of hook and loopfasteners. Snaps or buckles are also a possibility.

An important aspect of some embodiments of the invention is that thereis a direct attachment of the towel 14 to the wrist band 12 (see FIGS. 3and 7). This means that there is typically actual contact between asurface of the towel 14 and the wrist band 12, e.g., between someportion or surface of the towel 14 and the inner surface 18 of the wristband 12. Often, the contact is between an absorbent portion of the towel14 and the wrist band 12.

This direct contact improves the retention of the towel 14 incombination with and attached to the wrist band 12 since the user may beexercising and moving their hand having the wrist band 12 thereon. It isnot desirable that the towel 14 separate from the wrist band 12 or flaparound. Rather, a secure and tight attachment of the towel 14 to thewrist band 12 is sought. A direct attachment, whether permanent viasewing or temporary via hook and loop fasteners, provides such a secureand tight attachment.

By contrast, the rally towel apparatus of Walker described above,intentionally allows the rally towel to flap around and be manipulatedby the user for the express purpose of serving as a rally towel. Suchmovement is not desirable for combined wrist band and towel apparatus10. In addition, differing from the apparatus in Basik, the apparatus 10does not include means that enable the towel 14 to be secured in afolded state to the wrist band 12, i.e., the attachment means 20 at asingle location are the only attachment means that connect or couldconnect the towel 14 to the wrist band 12. In the invention, the towel14 is designed to freely hang from the wrist band 12 without anypossible state in which it is rolled or folded and secured in the rolledor folded state to the wrist band 12. The towel 14 can thus always be ina hanging state. Of course, the user could tuck in the lower corner ofthe towel 14 under the wrist band 12 but the towel 14 is not retained inthis position by any attachment means on the towel 14 or wrist band 12and would likely fall out to revert to the hanging state. Beingcontinually in the hanging state also allows the towel 14 to beavailable for continuous use.

However, in an embodiment wherein the attachment is of a temporarynature and the user finds that the towel 14 is moving excessively orotherwise interfering with their workout, the user can easily detach thetowel 14 from the wrist band 12 and continue the workout. The user canput the towel 14 down, e.g., on, near or around the exercise equipment,and then when finished, re-attach the towel 14 to the wrist band 12.

Additionally, the attachment means occupy only a small portion of theinner surface 18 of the towel 14, e.g., a corner as seen in FIG. 6. Thissize may be only about 1 inch square or often less, and does not extendacross the entire towel 14. Another option is to put the hook or loopfasteners on an edge of the towel, in a middle region to enable thetowel 14 to be folded from both perpendicular edges inward.

Towel 14 is not limited to the square shape as shown and may be anycolor, shape, size, and thickness, and it may include a logo 4, forexample, of the exercise facility in which it is being used by the user.As such, the combined wrist band and towel apparatus 10 could be apromotional item provided to users of an exercise facility, or provideda perk for membership.

As to the size of the towel 14, the size of the towel 14 is an importantconsideration to avoid interference with the exercise being performed bythe user of the apparatus 10. If the towel 14 is too long, it willinterfere with a workout and could get tangled in gym equipment. If thetowel 14 is too short, it would provide insufficient capacity to absorbsweat. In the illustrated embodiment, the towel 14 has a size thatallows it to extend to about the elbow area of the user when the wristband 12 is on the user's wrist 8. This extension is about the distancebetween the upper and lower corners of the towel 14. It has been foundthat this size is preferred for use of the apparatus 10, but is notintended to limit the apparatus 10 and other size towels 14 may be used.For example, it is possible to make the apparatus 10 with different sizewrist bands 12 and corresponding different size towels 14, e.g., small,medium, large, extra large, for different size people.

In some embodiments, the towel 14 can be folded or rolled to be compactand dimensioned to avoid interfering with the user's hand when thecombined wrist band and towel apparatus 10 is worn by the user on theirwrist. In such a position though, there is no structure on the apparatus10 to retain and hold the towel 14 in this position.

There are numerous uses of the combined wrist band and towel apparatus10. A user can put the apparatus 10 on and use the towel to wipe sweatfrom their hands or face during a workout, or use the towel to wipe downexercise equipment before use.

It is also pointed out that the wrist band 12 is not limited forplacement around the wrist 8 of a user. Rather, the user could decide toplace the wrist band 12 around any of their limbs, e.g., their leg, ifso desired. As such, a wrist band 12 is not limited to use on the wristof a person, but rather is termed this in light of the very common usageon the user's wrist.

Wrist band 12 may be a commercial embodiment that is modified to includeattachment structure as disclosed above. Similarly, the towel 14 may bea commercial embodiment, cut to a desired size if necessary, and alsomodified to include attachment structure as disclosed above.

The invention encompasses wrist bands 12 with different lengths andpossibly including a pocket into which a gym card, keys, a credit card,cash, and the other objects may be secured by securing means. The pocketcould be formed extending inward from an opening in the outer surface 16of the wrist band 12. The pocket may be defined by the outer surface 16of the wrist band 12 and an inner piece of material (not shown) that isbetween the outer and inner surfaces 16, 18, or possibly only by anadditional piece of material between the outer and inner surfaces 16,18, or by the inner surface 18 of the wrist band 12 and an inner pieceof material (not shown) that is between the outer and inner surfaces 16,18.

The securing means could be a zipper but other type of securing meansare also envisioned as being with the scope and spirit of the invention,e.g., hook and loop fasteners of the VELCRO™ type, snaps, buttons, etc.

Any number of pockets may be provided, with different sizes, atdifferent locations, intended to serve different purposes, etc. Forexample, one pocket may be designed to retain a gym card or fob used fora gym.

The present description is for illustrative purposes only and it shouldnot be construed to limit the present invention in any way. Thus, aperson skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications canbe made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention, which is defined in terms of theclaims below. Other aspects, features and advantages may be apparentupon an examination of the attached drawing figures and appended claims.

1. A combined wrist band and towel apparatus, comprising a tubular wristband having an inner surface and an outer surface; a towel made ofabsorbent material; and attachment means for attaching said towel tosaid inner surface of said wrist band, whereby when worn by a user, saidtowel is partially between said wrist band and the user, and the usersees said outer surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said towelis connectable to said wrist band only by said attachment means.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachment means connect said towelto said wrist band at only a single location.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said attachment means provide a direct attachment of saidtowel to said wrist band such that said towel is in direct contact withsaid wrist band.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachmentmeans provide a permanent attachment of said towel to said wrist band.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said attachment means comprisestitches connecting a portion of said towel to said inner surface. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said towel has a rectangular shapehaving four corners and said attachment means attach said towel to saidwrist band at only one of said four corners and do not attach or enableattachment of said towel to said wrist band at any other location onsaid towel.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said towel has agenerally square shape having four corners and said attachment meansattach said towel to said wrist band at only one of said four cornersand do not attach or enable attachment of said towel to said wrist bandat any other location on said towel.
 9. A combined wrist band and towelapparatus, comprising a tubular wrist band having an inner surface andan outer surface; and a towel made of absorbent material; said towelbeing sewn to said inner surface of said wrist band such that only aportion of said towel is in direct contact with said inner surface ofsaid wrist band and when worn by a user, said towel is partially betweensaid wrist band and the user, and the user sees said outer surface. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said towel is connectable to saidwrist band only by said attachment means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein said attachment means connect said towel to said wrist band atonly a single location.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said towelhas a rectangular shape having four corners and said attachment meansattach said towel to said wrist band at only one of said four cornersand do not attach or enable attachment of said towel to said wrist bandat any other location on said towel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein said towel has a generally square shape having four corners andsaid attachment means attach said towel to said wrist band at only oneof said four corners and do not attach or enable attachment of saidtowel to said wrist band at any other location on said towel.